After a successful debut at middleweight, Michel Pereira plans to continue fighting at 185 pounds and is looking to potentially face Israel Adesanya in the future.
Michel Pereira, the fighter known as “Demolidor,” has found a promising new home in the UFC middleweight division. After experiencing mixed results in the welterweight category, Pereira made his middleweight debut this past weekend and impressed with a quick finish of Andre Petroski at UFC Vegas 81. Pereira attributes his success to the fact that he only had to cut a manageable 10 pounds for the fight, allowing him to train more effectively and prepare better. The 30-year-old Brazilian wasted no time in dominating Petroski, scoring a clean knockout with a right hand early in the bout and ending his opponent’s undefeated UFC run.
Pereira’s decision to move up to middleweight did not come as a surprise. It was prompted by a disastrous weight cut in July for a welterweight clash against Stephen Thompson, where he tipped the scales at 174 pounds, three pounds over the limit. This marked Pereira’s second weight miss in the UFC, with a previous incident in 2019 against Tristan Connelly. Thompson refused to accept Pereira’s weight miss, leading to the cancellation of their fight and leaving Pereira disappointed. Despite his frustration, Pereira understands Thompson’s decision and holds no grudges.
Although he doubts the chance to ever fight Thompson, Pereira hasn’t ruled out a potential return to the welterweight division. However, his immediate focus is on his newfound success as a middleweight contender. With a six-fight win streak in the UFC, Pereira intends to extend his momentum and capitalize on his recent triumph at 185 pounds. He is eager to get back in the octagon and is aiming to have his next fight in December at the latest. Pereira even expressed his interest in facing the middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, admiring his showmanship and considering it a fun matchup.
In summary, Michel Pereira has found a fresh start in the UFC middleweight division, showcasing his skills with an impressive victory over Andre Petroski. After struggling with weight cuts in the welterweight class, Pereira made the decision to move up and has noticed a significant improvement in his performance. Although disappointed with the cancellation of his fight against Stephen Thompson, Pereira understands and respects Thompson’s decision. Looking ahead, Pereira is determined to continue his winning streak in the middleweight division and is eager for his next fight, potentially even against the current champion, Israel Adesanya.